"Oh, of course. I'm sorry--there just aren't many blacksmiths left, where I'm from. Things like that are mostly automated now." Edriss smiled apologetically; just where and when was Daja from, anyway? In human culture, as far as she understood, that kind of labor was skilled but primitive, something only artisans tended to participate in at this point.

"I'm glad to hear that they're good people, though--it's nice to get a feel for the people and atmosphere I might end up working with, if I do manage to secure a position with the Science Department. No doubt those branches must collaborate on some of their projects."